Episode 13- Getting Prickly in Mexico

Mei, Greg and Melissa arrive in Mexico and are greeted by Doug and George, cooking up a storm. The finalist get to see Tom make the call that Dougie is BACK! Then it's directly off to the quickfire!

Guest Judge is Enrique Olvera- a very prestigious chef in Mexico. Challenge- highlight the prickly pear in 30 mins! Love that the producers force them to make small talk and Mei is not having it- poor Dougie!

I think Doug was smart to go a vegetarian dish. Everyone did a good job, but Greg's was overpowered with olive oil and Mei's meat was very poorly cooked. Melissa's dish was refreshing and Doug's was very Mexican! And the winner is Doug for his risky dish! Xoconostle and Tomatillo Stew With Roasted Peppers and Pepitas! 

Elimination Challenge- get inspired by local art! They will have 4 hours to cook a dish that represents the art visually- with help from past chefs! They each get 2 sous chefs and Doug gets to pick 1st. Poor Aaron, Ron and Joy don't get picked to helped- aww.
This is a cool challenge but also difficult! Doug got lucky with an abstract artist! Melissa has it rough with her artist's colors!

Greg's dish sounds really good to me and the sauce does match the art well. The judges all respond well and they loved the way he cooked everything. Grilled Strip Loin With Ancho Chile, Beets, Cilantro Purée and Valencia Orange Sauce

Doug is SO nervous about his dish, but visually it looks a lot like his art and the judges really like his flavor. Tom was really blown away. Brisket Texas Red With Tomatilla and Masa Cake

Melissa's dish conceptually goes with the art, but doesn't as much visually. The judge seem to like it though. Padma loved her dish but Tom thought she was just throwing ingredients together to match the art. Smoked Eggplant Ravioli With Shrimp, Chorizo and Cotija

Mei's dish is similar to Melissa's in that the concept matches the art, but visually it's not as strong. Sounds good though and the judges thought it was really tasty. Snapper and Bass Crudo With Chicken Skin Crumble, Soy Gastrique and Radish Pickles

On top we have the boys- Greg and Doug! The winner gets to take home the art! And that winner is Doug!!!! He's Back!

That leaves Mei and Melissa on the bottom. They both did well, but this is the finals and unfortunately, Melissa's dish didn't make the cut. 

3 teams neck and neck- this is the closest the scores have ever been- it's gonna be the chef who wins that gives the team the win I think! Also- the first 4 draft picks are the last 4 chefs- can we pick them or what!?!?! Final 3 are Doug (1st pick), Mei (2nd pick) and Greg (3rd pick)!